State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher announced Friday that the executive committee of the SUNY Board of Trustees will oversee a now ongoing audit of Binghamton University’s athletic department.
The audit, which will be performed by an external consultant who is yet to be named, was originally proposed by President Lois DeFleur in a press conference Sept. 30 and was supposed to be overseen by University officials.
“We are looking at individuals who would lead the audit, but I do not have specific names at this time,” said SUNY spokesman David Henehan.
According to Zimpher’s prepared statement, the decision by SUNY to take control of the audit was a reaction to recent events on campus in regards to the athletic department and athletic integrity.
“These steps are necessary to remove any doubt whatsoever about the quality and integrity of the athletic and academic enterprises of Binghamton University and to strengthen or change any processes and procedures necessary in furtherance of our goal.”
According to DeFleur in her press conference, the reason for the audit is ensure that BU is living up to all of the procedures and policies of the America East Conference and NCAA.
According to Zimpher, DeFleur has agreed to cooperate fully with SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl Hayden.
“We agree that no stone will be left unturned as we move forward,” she said. “President DeFleur and I will meet next week to discuss the practical aspects of the review.”
DeFleur’s announcement of the audit was just one action of a list of four changes which included the resignation of University athletic director Joel Thirer and a request for “a recruitment and supervision plan” of basketball head coach Kevin Broadus.
Gail Glover, University spokeswoman, has confirmed that adjunct professor Sally Dear will be rehired “while the SUNY Board of Trustees executive committee conducts its overall review of the Binghamton University athletic program.”
On Sept. 29, Dear received a letter explaining she would not return next semester. During the press conference Wednesday, DeFleur acknowledged that budget cuts had led to many adjuncts being let go.
Dear, on the other hand, believed that her dismissal had been a result of her speaking out against alleged University pressure to provide special benefits to student athletes.
“I believe that I was expected to overlook certain things and give preferential treatment to student-athletes,” she said.
According to a report from The New York Times, Dear was rehired to a new, undisclosed department.
The audit was proposed following the dismissal of six basketball players, including Emanuel “Tiki” Mayben, who’s facing drug charges. The reasons for the removal of the other five players is still unknown, although head coach Kevin Broadus cited commitment issues.
“These steps are necessary to remove any doubt whatsoever about the quality and integrity of the athletic and academic enterprises of Binghamton University and to strengthen or change any processes and procedures necessary in furtherance of our goal,” Zimpher said. “The students, faculty, alumni, staff and supporters of Binghamton University, the SUNY system and all New Yorkers deserve nothing less.”